old-style conservatism is not just an age thing

I've been reading several discussions on some C of C groups on facebook recently and I've been kind of surprized by some of the discussions. There is such diversity in the views expressed about everything from baptism - to the C of C is THE church - to vocal vs instrumental music. What has taken me somewhat aback is the number of young christians (in age, not years as a christian) that seem to hold the old hardline beliefs I grew up with. As I have gotten older I've moved away from the strict, narrow interpretations of "creed" that were the definition of the C of C. I remember having bible studies with baptist friends with the single purpose of converting them to the real church of christ. I remember the preaching against instrumental music and the visible works of the spirit (healing, speaking in tongues). I struggled with what defines a christian and christian worship. My husband and I encouraged our children to study for themselves and not just accept whatever they were taught as being "right." I came to believe that the view of christianity I grew up with was limited by people - not necessarily by God. I think I expected the struggles of the next generation - the teens and twenty-somethings of today - to have a different set of struggles. After reading some of the discussions this week it seems that we have not moved as far from my starting point as I had believed. Maybe it is a journey that every generation has to take...I don't know. I found it kind of discouraging though. If we are still engaged in separating ourselves from "those denominations" who believe in Jesus - how will we ever reach those who do not believe in Him at all?

Job = Work

Having a job means you are actually expected to do some work. Evidently this is a big secret and not something that everyone already knows. At least I have to think that based on the frequency with which someone gets hired who doesn't seem to know this.
Why would anyone think I would pay them for doing nothing or for not coming to work?
The only answers I have come with for that question is that a) they really believe that people should pay them just for showing up (at whatever time they choose to arrive), or b) they are so special that everyone owes them, or c) the company (or maybe just me) is too stupid to notice that they are not actually doing anything.
All I know is that today I let a "new employee" go - after only 3 weeks "on the job" during which time he had to repeatedly be asked to end phone calls during training, got up and walked out of training to "check on something", failed to get the required physical (which we pay for), was "unable to work" 2 days, and today came to work, clocked in , and THEN WENT SHOPPING! Didn't clock out, didn't tell anyone, didn't understand "what the big deal was." So just in case someone is reading this who isn't already in ono the big secret, let me say it again, "Having a job means that you are required to actually expend your own energy and work (i.e. complete tasks assigned to you by someone else)." Nuff said.

changing relationships

During worship today Charles talked about an old friend of his from High School. Someone who had been a close friend..but things had gradually changed, as they often do, until we completely lose touch with them...lose the relationship entirely. He went on to talk about how Jesus is the one friend we don't have to worry about losing. He never forgets us, never moves on to "bigger and better things". He is the constant. That permanance really hit me today.
Maybe because I am at a time in my life when so many relationships are changing. My relationship with my parents (the realization of their aging, the differences in how my brother,sister, and I worry about them), my relationship with my children - as they graduate from college and high school and leave home (in Michelle's case leave the country - again!) , my relationship with my husband as we prepare to celebrate our 25 th anniversary and return to the "2 of us" at home, even changes with relationships at work as those I have trained and supervised and mentored now begin to move into positions as my peer and I begin to take on new responsibilities that are different from theirs. Subtle changes in dynamics that occur in these relationshipsand have to be prepared for and considered.
Don't get me wrong - I don't find any of these changes bad or frightening - in many ways I've been looking forward to them.. I am just very aware of the way they are changing. But I admit - the idea of one relationship that will always be there, that can always be counted on, and is always accessible - is very reassuring right now.

Never Stop Learning

Finally, I figured out how to add links!
So maybe now I can aspire to bea tecno-moron istead of an idiot. (Actually that would be a backwards move based on the old mental retardation ratings..fortunately those are really politically incorrect and out of use.)

Correcting my perspective

This week I have had the truly horrible experience of a stomach virus - complete with three full days of vomiting, etc. So I go back to work yesterday and I'm still feeling wrung out but feeling virtuos because I came to work. Then today was one of those days that wakes you up and makes you see your own life and circumstances from a different perspective. The kind of eye-opener that makes me aware of how blessed God has made my life.
So anyway, I'm at work today and notice one of my employees seems to be in pain - holding her stomach, not saying much, and kind of a grimace on what I can see of her face. When I ask if she's getting sick (because of course, since I just had a virus - everyone else must be getting the same thing) she turns to face me and I see that she has a black eye and split lip. Suddenly her holding her stomach takes on a whole different meaning.
AS I talk with her I find she has been beaten up by her ex-husband, she's got LOTS of bruises, and she's scared he's going to get out of jail and come after her again. But here she is - at work - not carrying on about it, not expecting any one to help or anything to change, not even really seeing her life as different from others.
So now, I'm not feeling quite so smug about myself, and I'm more aware of how blessed my life really is, and I'm thanking God for reminding me of both these things while placing me where I can offer hope and comfort to someone else - as he has brought hope and comfort to me.